Masuk's #22 Thomas Milone evades a tackle attempt by Pomperaug's #89 Michael Buntin, to carry the ball all the way to the endzone for a touchdown, during boys football action in Monroe, Conn. on Friday September 14, 2012. less

Masuk's #22 Thomas Milone evades a tackle attempt by Pomperaug's #89 Michael Buntin, to carry the ball all the way to the endzone for a touchdown, during boys football action in Monroe, Conn. on Friday ... more

This might be jumping to some conclusions. It was, after all, only 48 minutes of September football but in its 47-10 victory over Pomperaug Friday night at Benedict Field, Masuk served notice despite a string of high-profile graduations the road to the SWC title still goes through Monroe.

"There's still a football program here," Masuk coach John Murphy said. "We didn't turn in the helmets because those guys graduated. There's a tradition here and the kids believe in it and want to uphold their part of the bargain."

In the first game after the record-setting Casey Cochran era, the Panthers showed no signs of slowing down.

Thomas Milone led the way scoring five touchdowns -- three on catches, two on punt returns. Panthers' junior quarterback Malik Cummings threw for 280 yards and senior back Frank Bacarella added 129 yards on the ground with a touchdown.

"The team is definitely trying to make a statement," said Milone, who caught six passes for 183 yards. "We're just one big team now. We don't have any names, we have one name and that's Masuk."

Following a Pomperaug three-and-out to open things, Milone gave Masuk a dream start when he hauled in Eric Beatty's punt and broke it 60 yards for a touchdown. After another Pomperaug drive stalled, Cummings found Milone streaking up the left sideline unguarded for an 83-yard score on the Panthers' first play from scrimmage, making it 13-0 before many had settled into their seats.

"(Milone's) a great player, tough to tackle," Pomperaug coach Dave Roach said. "You can't prep against that. We can't simulate that in practice."

Down 20-0 following Bacarella's score on a shovel-pass from 20 yards out, Pomperaug had its one chance to get back in the game when Dylan McAllister returned the ensuing kickoff to the Masuk 10. Pomperaug settled for a 24-yard Beatty field goal.

"We have to put that in. The fact we got points on the board is a good thing, but we get it to the (10), we have to punch it in," Roach said. "Everyone is talking they're a step down, they're not a step down."

Milone wasn't done in the first half, returning another punt 73 yards for a score and hauling in a fade pattern in the back left corner five seconds before halftime to make it 33-3. He added his fifth touchdown in the third quarter, taking a screen pass 85 yards -- breaking through a sea of Pomperaug tacklers -- to finish his night and clear the way for the second units to play and the fans to mingle with Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon, who was in attendance.

Masuk's defense held Pomperaug in check, limiting it to 60 yards in the first half. Jon Skoog and Doug Katz each had interceptions for Masuk.

Pomperaug added a late score on a 49-yard pass from Beatty to Steve Croce.

Afterward Murphy said he did something he'd never done in his Masuk career -- award a game ball, which he did to junior receiver Russell Lilly. Lilly's father lost his battle with cancer earlier Friday afternoon, yet he elected to play the game at night.

"Like I told my team, it was the proudest moment I've had. For him to choose to come here, on a day like today, to be with his team and his coaches, that moved me," Murphy said. "My pregame speech wasn't fire and brimestone, it was telling them how much this thing means to people that he would come here on a day like today."